Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating Engineering Learning And Gender Neutrality For The Product Design Of A Modular Robotic Kit, Ansh Verma

Open Access Theses

The development of a system is informed from design factors in order to success- fully support the intended usability from the perceived affordances [1]. The theory of ‘Human Centered Design’ champions that these factors be derived from the user itself. It is based on exploiting these affordances that the boundary of technology is pushed to sometimes invent new methods or sometimes approach a problem from newer perspectives. This thesis is an example where we inform our design rationales from children in order to develop a gender neutral modular robotic toy kit.

Role Of Ns1 In Virus Replication Using Dengue Virus And West Nile Virus Chimeras, Jinsam Chang

Open Access Theses

The flavivirus non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), glycosylated, and secreted from the infected cell. Among its various functions, a role of NS1 in RNA synthesis has been reported. The NS1 has three domains; “β-roll”, “wing” and “β-ladder (spaghetti loop)” domain. The characterization of the three domains of NS1 may help us to understand the multiple functions of NS1 in the context of specific regions of the protein. In this study, we have constructed chimeric Dengue/West Nile (DENV/WNV) viruses, which each contain one of the three domains of NS1 from WNV in a DENV genetic …

The Impact Of Visual Style On User Experience In Games, Stephen A. Garver

Open Access Theses

The visual style in a game is an aspect of user experience that is often neglected in user experience studies in games. Visual style is often reflective of the tone that a game designer intends to convey or the assumption of what the intended audience would prefer, and it is an important aspect of how a player experiences a game. This thesis investigated how visual style impacts user experience, by observing user experience from two different approaches, moment and memory-based experiences (engagement and enjoyment), through the manipulation of style in a game. The manipulated aspects of visual style were color …

Hbsi Automation Using The Kinect 2, Zachary Edward Moore

Open Access Theses

This research focused on classifying Human-Biometric Sensor Interaction errors in real-time. The Kinect 2 was used as a measuring device to track the position and movements of the subject through a simulated border control environment. Knowing, in detail, the state of the subject ensures that the human element of the HBSI model is analyzed accurately. A network connection was established with the iris device to know the state of the sensor and biometric system elements of the model. Information such as detection rate, extraction rate, quality, capture type, and more metrics was available for use in classifying HBSI errors. A …

Morphological Plasticity Of Invasive Silver Carp In Divergent Midwestern Rivers, Katherine Flynn Touzinsky

Open Access Theses

In the past decade, silver carp (SC; Hypopthalmicthys molitrix) have incited a great quantity of scientific research because their establishment and success in the Midwestern U.S. has led to concerns that they could invade the Great Lakes Basin. These previous studies have identified phenotypic plasticity in SC behavior and spawning as they invade novel environments. Although divergent habitats have been shown to elicit morphological plasticity in multiple fish species, similar research has not been conducted for SC despite their observed plasticity in other traits. I examined SC collected from two hydrogeomorphically divergent rivers, the Illinois River (IR) and middle Wabash …

Can We Put Photobiology To Work? Using Light To Manipulate The Nutritional And Sensory Properties Of Greenhouse Tomatoes, Michael Dzakovich

Open Access Theses

While generally viewed within the context of plant growth and development, different qualities of light are also powerful elicitors of secondary metabolic pathways in plants that affect the nutritional value and flavor of edible tissues. Leveraging fundamental photobiology principles, our studies sought to use different qualities of supplemental light including ultraviolet-B (UV-B), UV-A, blue, red, and far-red as an environmental treatment to restore garden-grown flavor and nutritional attributes to greenhouse-grown tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum); a commercially important crop that has a poor reputation compared to its garden-grown counterparts. To test our hypotheses, we used a battery of physicochemical analyses that included …

The Role Of Snow In Soil Thermal Dynamics Of The Arctic Terrestrial Ecosystems, Zhou Lyu

Open Access Theses

The vast area of permanent or seasonal snow cover is an essential component of terrestrial ecosystems in northern mid-to-high latitudes (45-90°N), which has insulation effects on the soil layer beneath it. The affected soil thermal regimes will impact soil carbon dynamics. Recent observations indicate that there are substantial changes in both snow cover extent and duration due to climate change in the area. It is important to understand the insulation effect historically so as to better quantify its role in affecting ecosystem carbon dynamics under changing climate in the future. This study incorporates the snow insulation effect by introducing a …

Using Large Snp Datasets To Understand The Genetic Mechanisms Of Complex Traits In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Elisabeth S. Harrison

Open Access Theses

Arabidopsis thaliana, as a model species, has been widely genotyped and sequenced. Many studies have been done to understand the kinship and population structure of the species. This data and information is beneficial for understanding the genetic mechanisms of complex traits. In this thesis, we first used genotyped data for 5,967 accessions to study the occurrence of tetraploidy in the species. We found that tetraploidy is a transient character state, and the species is a diploid species. Secondly, we used 211K and 1.6M SNPs for 440 accessions to run genome-wide analyses (GWA) for four traits: glufosinate tolerance, hybrid incompatibilities, seed …

Investigating The Amino Acid Digestibility Of Alternative Protein Sources And Determining The Impact Of Dietary Fiber On Energy, Nitrogen, And Amino Acid Digestibility In Growing Pigs, Bradley M. Cotten

Open Access Theses

Three experiments were designed to quantify the nitrogen (N) and amino acid (AA) digestibility of various protein sources fed to growing pigs. The protein ingredients were sunflower meal, cottonseed meal, canola meal, camelina meal, egg albumen, casein, blood meal, plasma meal, potato protein concentrate, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, and linseed meal, which were fed as the sole source of amino acids for the animals and were included in semi-purified, corn starch-based diets. A semi-purified, nitrogen-free diet (NFD) was used to estimate endogenous losses of AA. In each experiment, pigs were surgically fitted with a simple T-cannula at the …

In Vivo Analysis Of A Salt Bridge At The External Gate Of The Drosophila Melanogaster Serotonin Transporter In Response To Amphetamines, Timothy J. Beenen

Open Access Theses

Monoamine neurotransmitter transporters are membrane proteins responsible for the clearing of biogenic amines from a synapse. These transporters are targets for many important pharmaceuticals including antidepressants, as well as psychostimulant drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines. Amphetamines are believed to elicit their psychostimulant activity primarily by inducing a reversal of the transport cycle and increasing neurotransmitter release into the synapse, though the mechanism of this activity is incompletely understood. Previous in vitro research has suggested functional significance of a conserved salt bridge in the serotonin transporter (SERT) in amphetamine-induced 5-HT efflux. This salt bridge is disrupted in the Drosophila melanogaster …

Identification, Description, And Activity Of Proteins In The Tergal Glands Of The German Cockroach, Blattella Germanica (L.), Aaron Myers

Open Access Theses

German cockroaches are important urban pests that have been linked to asthma and serious allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. In this research project I, (i) identified different proteins expressed in the tergal glands of male German cockroaches, (ii) determined the expression levels of these proteins in different cockroach life stages and tissues, and (iii) investigated the role of the tergal gland alpha-amylase (BGTG-1) protein. ^ Four major tergal gland proteins were separated on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. With peptide sequencing two of these proteins were identified as alpha-amylase (BGTG-1) and Blattella germanica allergen 2 (Bla g 2). Both of these proteins …

Management Effects On The Environmental Footprint Of Swine Production, Aaron M. Jones

Open Access Theses

Livestock production in general is a very small contributor to GHG emissions. However, swine producers will continually be faced with a series of challenges to minimize the environmental impact of swine production. The main objectives of the the studies in this thesis were to evaluate the effects of reducing dietary CP with the supplementation of synthetic AA and the effects of feeding diets with or without antibiotics on manure generation and excretion of N and C. In Exp. 1, thirty-two barrows were used in a metabolism study to evaluate the effect of feeding reduced CP, amino acid (AA) supplemented diets …

Intelligent Sensor System For Selected Environmental Safety Application, Chen-Lin Song

Open Access Theses

Song, Chen-Lin. M.S., Purdue University, August 2015. Intelligent Sensor System for Selected Environmental Safety Applications. Major Professor: Suranjan Panigrahi

Pharmacokinetics Of Ketorolac Tromethamine In Horses After Intravenous, Intramuscular, And Oral Single Dose Administration, Alexandra Walsh Bianco

Open Access Theses

Bianco, Alexandra W. M.S., Purdue University, August 2015. Pharmacokinetics of ketorolac tromethamine in horses after intravenous, intramuscular and oral single dose administration. Major Professor: Sandra D. Taylor.

Investigations Into The Anti-Collagenase Efficacy Of Serum And Plasma, Emily Dakin Conway

Open Access Theses

Corneal ulcers are a commonly encountered problem in domesticated species and can cause significant pain, incur a high cost for the owner, and result in blindness or eventual enucleation. The progressive deepening of corneal ulcers is mediated by enzymatic destruction of stromal collagen (termed keratomalacia) when collagenases from endogenous and exogenous sources are active on the corneal surface. The inhibition of collagenases can therefore be crucial to mitigating the damage that breakdown of corneal stromal collagen causes. In ulcers where collagenase activity is suspected, the use of topical serum has been recommended, in both human and veterinary medicine, primarily due …

Application Of Biodynamic Imaging For Personalized Chemotherapy In Canine Lymphoma, Michelle Renee Custead

Open Access Theses

Biodynamic imaging (BDI) is a novel phenotypic cancer profiling technology which characterizes changes in cellular and subcellular motion in living tumor tissue samples following in vitro or ex vivo treatment with chemotherapeutics. The ability of BDI to predict clinical response to single-agent doxorubicin chemotherapy was tested in ten dogs with naturally-occurring non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). Pre-treatment tumor biopsy samples were obtained from all dogs and treated with doxorubicin (10 M) ex vivo. BDI captured cellular and subcellular motility measures on all biopsy samples at baseline and at regular intervals for 9 hours following drug application. All dogs subsequently received treatment with …

Facilitating The Role Of An Occupational Therapist As A Primary Care Provider For Clients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alexis Nims, Kayli Schumacher

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Chronic disease management is an ever-growing need within the current population. One of those chronic diseases, arthritis, is the present leader in cause for disability among adults (Helmick et al., 2008). This incidence is expected to increase by 40% over the next 25 years. Among this population are those diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is anticipated to affect over 1.2 million Americans each year alone (Helmick et al., 2008). Incurable, RA is a debilitating condition that results in the loss of function within various occupations of daily life. The needs of this population are great, yet are often left …

Oral Immunotherapy In Ige-Mediated Cow’S Milk Protein Allergy, Jody Bauer

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Cow’s milk allergy prevalence in children has been increasing significantly over the last several decades. The diagnosis of a cow’s milk allergy (CMA) can occur through several methods such as signs and symptoms, double blind oral food challenge, skin prick testing, IgE and IgG4 serum levels. Currently, there are no treatments beyond strict allergen avoidance. The patient’s quality of life is impacted with the fear of inadvertent exposure resulting in allergic reactions that may be life threatening. Recent studies have explored desensitization to CM using oral immunotherapy (OIT), subcutaneous immunotherapy, and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Research has found that desensitization will …

Alpha Lipoic Acid: A Potential Therapeutic Option For Painful Peripheral Neuropathies, Jessica Curcio

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a major public health concern.

• There are many etiologies for PN including injury, infection, toxicity, genetics, metabolic disease and nutritional deficiencies.

• Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, is a potent antioxidant and cofactor in many cellular metabolic processes.

• Oxidative damage plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of both diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

• Because of the antioxidant capability ALA has been studied for its potential benefit in preventing and treating PN

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infection Antibiotic Prophylaxis Treatment Compared With Alternative Treatment Options, Heather Watkins

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcal Infection, known as PANDAS, is a clinical diagnosis made after a child develops Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and/or ticks after a Streptococcal Pharyngitis. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcal Infection is diagnosed in children 3 years of age until 14 years of age. The purpose of this study is to determine if antibiotics versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with cognitive behavior therapy versus prophylaxis with antibiotics should be used in the treatment of children who develops PANDAS. The review of literature will explore studies that compare current treatment options with new research …

The Da Vinci Robotic Surgical Systems In Atrial Septal Defect Repair, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft And Mitral Valve Repair, Randy Yergenson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Historically, these cardiac interventions have been performed using partial or complete open sternotomy.
1. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
2. Atrial septal defect (ASD) repair,
3. Mitral valve repair and/or replacement

In 2000, the Federal Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. Less invasive surgical option.

Avoiding Extinction, Preserving Culture: Sustainable, Sovereignty-Centered Tribal Citizenship Requirements, Michael D. Oeser

North Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

Artificial Magnetic Conductor Integrated Textile Monopole Antenna, Ala Alemaryeen

Theses and Dissertations

Wearable antenna is a fast growing field in application-oriented research, which introduced a new generation of garments capable of monitoring wear health, as well as environmental states. This thesis is concerned with the design and fabrication of a compact textile wearable antenna at operating frequency within the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band, intended for integration into a flight jacket of the astronaut inside the habitat. The antenna is integrated with artificial material known as High Impedance Surface (HIS) for performance enhancement. The purpose of the system is to constantly monitor vital signals of the astronauts.

The entire design cycle …

Statistical Downscaling For The Northern Great Plains: A Comparison Of Bias Correction And Redundancy Analysis, Jacob Coburn

Theses and Dissertations

The climate of the Earth is changing, and is primarily a result of our rampant industrialization over the past two centuries. These changes have manifested themselves in many ways over the whole of the Earth’s surface and sub-systems, leading to the need to understand the changes and predict future outcomes. Coupled climate and general circulation - Earth system models (GCMs) allow for the analysis of dynamically active simulations over the whole of the planet, yet are limited by computational power. The model grids are coarse by design to perform within these computational constraints, which enables them to function and provide …

Ixodes Scapularis In North Dakota: Phenology, Population Genetics, And Local Host Reservoir Competency In An Emerging Vector Population, Michael Dougherty

Theses and Dissertations

Tick surveillance in eastern North Dakota has revealed the presence of established I. scapularis populations in fragmented forest habitats previously regarded as unsuitable for this species. Understanding I. scapularis phenology, the reservoir competency of local vertebrate hosts, and population structure of blacklegged ticks in this region is essential to determining potential human risk of Lyme disease. Tick surveys were conducted throughout North Dakota by flagging and small mammal trapping. 1,701 ticks were collected, including 297 I. scapularis exhibiting a relatively low Borrelia burgdorferi infection rate (ca. 3-5%). Seasonal abundance varied greatly among life stages, with adult I. scapularis being most …

The Efficacy Of Teaching Academic Vocabulary To Kindergarteners In An Explicit, Literacy Based Method, Hannah Mae Loesch

Theses and Dissertations

Vocabulary test scores from the ZOT, a researcher designed assessment, were obtained from kindergarten students (n=36) involved in a vocabulary intervention pilot study. The purpose of the current study was to (a) investigate if kindergarten students can learn academic vocabulary through a whole classroom approach to intervention during a brief story book reading session, (b) compare academic vocabulary learning between two methodological approaches and (c) compare the differences in learning of specific academic words. Comparison of mean ZOT results suggested (a) participants who did not receive special services through an Individual Education Plan (IEP) learned academic vocabulary (d = 1.76; …

Designing Fiction-Based Close Reading Experiences For The High School English Language Arts Classroom, Aubrey Jean Mcnary

Theses and Dissertations

The Common Core State Standards are forcing educational professional to develop high-level literacy skills and habits in a student population that is indisputable diverse and generally ill prepared for the demands of the secondary classroom. The practice of close reading is a means of literacy instruction that continually pushes students back into the text to answer text-dependent questions of varying, yet higher, levels of thinking. A variety of lesson plans and text-dependent questions were generated for three pivotal novels to demonstrate close reading as a means of achieving CCSS-level reading and thinking in the general secondary ELA classroom.

Secondary Social Studies Teachers’ Perceptions Of Special Education, Kelli Ann Odden

Theses and Dissertations

Through educational reform and federal mandates, general and special education teachers’ responsibilities are designed to intersect. Focusing on secondary social studies teachers, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the teachers’ perceptions of special education and how this influences the implementation of special education services in the classroom. From data collected through interviews and analyzed through Moustakas’ phenomenological design, two textural themes emerged (expertise and communication) in addition to three structural themes (placement, Individual Education Plan (IEP)-Reader’s Digest Version, and time). Findings indicate that social studies teachers appreciated the role of special education, but their perception was focused …

Development Of Molecular Biosensors And Multifunctional Graphene-Based Nanomaterials, Xu Wu

Theses and Dissertations

In the first project, a simple, rapid, and reversible fluorescent DNA INHIBIT logic gate has been developed for sensing mercury (Hg2+) and iodide (I-) ions based on a molecular beacon (MB). In this logic gate, a mercury ion was introduced as the first input into the MB logic gate system to assist in the hybridization of the MB with an assistant DNA probe through the thymine–Hg2+–thymine interaction, which eventually restored the fluorescence of MB as the output. With this signal-on process, mercury ions can be detected with a limit of detection as low as 7.9 nM. Furthermore, when iodide ions …

The Role Of Atg7 In The Host Defense Against Bacterial Infection, Yan Ye

Theses and Dissertations

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause serious infections in humans. Autophagy-related gene 7 (Atg7) has been involved in certain bacterial infections; however, the role of Atg7 in macrophage-mediated immunity against Kp infection has not been elucidated. To gain a better understanding of Kp-host interaction which may provide insight into the design of novel and effective therapeutics for this infection, we set out to investigate the potential immune role for autophagy in Kp infection in vitro and in vivo. We found that Atg7 was significantly induced in murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) upon Kp infection, indicating that Atg7 …